Despite the fact that the number of unemployed people in the country exceeds the number of available vacancies, employers struggle to find qualified, skilled employees. That’s why, when thinking about your career, it’s essential to consider not only your interests but also labor market trends.

What are the most in-demand professions in Latvia in 2025? Which career path should you choose to avoid worrying about job opportunities? We explain this and more below.

Brief summary

  • Demand remains in construction, trade, and transport, although these sectors mainly lack workers with practical skills rather than new positions.
  • The education and industrial sectors lack qualified workers, especially in the country’s regions, indicating a need to attract new specialists.
  • The highest salaries remain in finance, IT, and energy, though pharmaceuticals and project management are rapidly approaching these levels.
  • The highest average net salary is for employees in the Riga region.
  • In the future, there will be a high demand for workers in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

What were the most in-demand professions in Latvia in 2025?

As the year draws to a close, Latvia’s labor market is stable with some changes. Although the total number of occupied positions slightly increased in Q2 2025, the number of vacant positions decreased by nearly 16% (3,800). This means more people found jobs, but companies opened fewer new vacancies. In other words, the workforce grew slightly, but employers became more cautious, offering fewer open positions as they more carefully evaluate costs, productivity, and future demand. The country had about 20,000 vacant positions, while occupied ones numbered nearly 900,000, according to Central Statistical Bureau data.

The highest demand this year remained for professions requiring specialized knowledge or higher qualifications. The specialist group continues to lead with the highest proportion of vacant positions – approximately 4%. IT and finance professionals, project managers, and technical specialists were in demand. This trend shows that the labor market is adapting to new technologies and increasingly seeking employees who can use automated tools and work with data.

In the health and social care sector, demand for workers remained stable in 2025 – about 2.5% of positions were vacant, which is slightly less than the previous year. This indicates that the sector remains stable but lacks enough specialists, especially nurses and caregivers. Overall, this sector remains one of the most critical with persistent staffing demand.

In Riga, where most companies and institutions are located, there were more than 14,000 vacant positions, representing 3% of all jobs. Meanwhile, in the regions, especially Latgale and Kurzeme, demand for labor was lower but stable, particularly in manufacturing and construction sectors.

Overall, 2025 in Latvia concludes with an optimistic labor market – demand remains, but companies are seeking quality rather than quantity in their workforce. Therefore, it can be said that this year’s most in-demand professions were not those requiring hands, but rather brains, flexibility, and the ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment.

Comparison with 2024

  • The number of vacant positions has decreased. In 2025, there are nearly 16% fewer than in 2024, meaning companies have become more cautious and are expanding their workforce less.
  • Demand has grown for qualified professions. While 2024 saw more demand for workers in trade and services, 2025 is led by IT, finance, and technical specialist positions.
  • The public sector continues to dominate in vacancies. As in 2024, the proportion of vacant positions in government institutions remains higher than in the private sector.
  • The regional picture hasn’t changed significantly. Riga still concentrates most job opportunities, while Latgale and other regions maintain lower demand than the national average.

Which professions will be in demand in the future?

Latvia’s labor market future looks challenging. Skills forecasts from the Ministry of Education and Science indicate that by 2035, there will be fewer workers but more job opportunities. The number of working-age residents will decrease – mainly due to demographic reasons (population aging, emigration, lower birth rates). This means there will be fewer potential workers. However, at the same time, demand for labor will remain or even increase, as the economy develops, companies expand, and many sectors (especially technology and services) create new jobs.

This means companies will increasingly actively seek specialists in specific fields, whose proportion in the market is small, triggering a “battle” between companies for who will get the best. Demand is rapidly shifting toward skills requiring higher qualifications – more than half of future jobs will be related to intellectual work rather than physical labor.

Particularly fast-growing fields include IT, digital technologies, pharmaceuticals, construction, and logistics – sectors that rely on innovation and precise knowledge. At the same time, there’s a risk that people with outdated skills may fall behind the pace of change. That’s exactly why education is becoming increasingly important.

Business executives

Thanks to digitalization, artificial intelligence, and sustainability requirements, the business environment is changing (and will continue to change) rapidly. This in turn will force companies to adapt their business models, meaning there will be a growing need for leaders who can implement new technologies and act confidently in changing circumstances.

Required skills: soft skills – the ability to listen, be empathetic, communicate with different people. Good planning skills, strategic thinking, understanding of finance and economics, digital knowledge (including data analysis), communication.

Approximate salary (net): 2,500–5,000 euros per month, depending on company size and industry.

Where to study? Stockholm School of Economics in Riga (SSE Riga), Riga Technical University, University of Latvia, RISEBA University of Applied Sciences, focusing on business and management programs.

Career advice: Modern executives need more than just financial or administrative knowledge. Good leaders gain skills in various areas that help the company develop or overcome the various situations that arise in today’s volatile environment. It’s very important to gain knowledge in HR management, IT tools and technologies, and crisis management practice.

Primary school and preschool teachers

News headlines frequently state – the number of teachers in Latvia is insufficient. There are several reasons for this. First, the entry of new teachers into the education system is happening too slowly – unfortunately, new graduates cannot replace the teachers who are retiring or leaving the profession. While until recently the discussion focused on a significant shortage of STEM subject teachers, there is currently an especially acute need for teachers in Latvian language, mathematics, music, sports, and foreign languages.

Required skills: excellent communication, digital skills, ability to plan and manage the learning process according to the curriculum, as well as the ability to engage, motivate, and involve students in the learning process.

Approximate salary (net): 800–1,700 euros per month (preschool teachers typically earn less).

Where to study? University of Latvia (first cycle and bachelor’s level studies at the Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology).

Career advice: Nowadays, creating an innovative learning environment is increasingly important. If you’re planning to become a teacher, it’s essential to master digital tools and think about ways to offer interactive learning methods.

Pharmaceuticals and medicine

Demand for specialists in these fields continues to grow in hospitals, pharmacies, and research centers. Automation and digital systems allow more precise diagnostics and treatment, but in the future personalized medicine and data analysis will become more important, helping to tailor treatment to each patient’s needs.

Required skills: high sense of responsibility, empathy and precision, ability to work in teams, digital skills (working with medical equipment, data systems, e-health), as well as the ability to continuously learn and keep up with the latest research. Understanding of biotechnologies and pharmaceutical innovations is becoming especially valuable.

Approximate salary (net): 1,300–3,500 euros per month – depending on the position, specialization, and workplace (for example, doctors and pharmacists in larger institutions or the private sector earn more).

Where to study? Riga Stradins University (medicine, pharmacy, nursing), University of Latvia (pharmacy, biology, chemistry), as well as Riga Technical University (biomedical engineering).

Career advice: Medicine and pharmaceuticals are fields where knowledge becomes outdated very quickly, so the most important thing is to continuously learn, master new technologies and specialization areas.

Logistics, warehouse, and supply chain

Supply chains are becoming more complex, and automation, data accuracy, and speed are increasingly important. This means demand for workers who can efficiently organize goods movement is growing. Digital warehouse management solutions, smart scanners, and robotic systems are being implemented more frequently in this sector, so even physical roles require basic technology knowledge.

Required skills: precision, responsibility, and ability to work in a team, proficiency with warehouse software and scanning devices, understanding of supply processes and logistics chains, as well as ability to adapt to shift work and varying volumes. Foreign language skills are also valuable – especially English and Russian.

Approximate salary (net): 1,000–2,200 euros per month, depending on the position (warehouse worker, transport coordinator, logistics specialist) and company size.

Where to study? Riga Technical University (logistics and transport engineering), University of Latvia (business and management programs with logistics specialization), as well as vocational schools that offer training in warehouse operations and freight transport management.

Career advice: It’s important to keep up with industry developments, master warehouse management systems, and be ready to retrain, as this sector develops just as fast as the supply chains it serves.

Retail salespeople

The retail sector is characterized by high dynamics – companies are looking for ways to digitize processes and reduce costs, such as implementing self-checkout systems. After the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a notable e-commerce development, creating a need for salespeople with digital skills.

Required skills: ability to work with cash registers and payment systems, foreign language knowledge (a bonus), good communication and fast customer service skills.

Approximate salary (net): 620–1,220 euros per month.

Where to study? Specific education is not required, though employers will appreciate if you’ve acquired additional knowledge at vocational education institutions. Preference is given to programs such as “Retail Commerce Specialist.”

Career advice: Develop your communication skills. Remember that in customer-facing work, a professional, prompt, and friendly attitude makes a big difference. To expand your career opportunities, learn how to work with warehouse systems and e-commerce platforms.

Construction and infrastructure workers

Latvia continues to lack good workers in this field – in road construction, building renovation, and infrastructure maintenance. In the future, construction will become more modern, with more frequent use of digital design systems, new materials, and automated tools, so readiness to learn and master new working methods will be important.

Required skills: physical endurance, precision, responsibility, and ability to work in a team. Basic knowledge of safety regulations, construction machinery, and blueprint reading is useful. The ability to use simple digital tools, such as time tracking or material inventory apps, is also increasingly valued.

Approximate salary (net): 1,000–2,000 euros per month, depending on experience, workload, and project complexity. Experienced craftsmen or equipment operators can earn more.

Where to study? While formal education isn’t always mandatory, it significantly helps. Vocational education institutions, such as Riga Construction College or various regional technical programs, offer training in construction fundamentals, finishing works, or road construction.

Career advice: In this field, success is built on experience and precision. If you’re responsible, hardworking, and willing to learn from masters, you can gradually become a foreman or even a supervisor.

Where is the worker shortage greatest?

While a shortage of skilled workers is observed throughout Latvia, the largest job offering is in Riga, while the smallest is in Latgale. According to State Employment Agency data, the greatest current demand is for medium and low-qualification professions, including truck drivers, general laborers, construction workers, salespeople, and cleaners.

Skills that will give advantages in the future labor market

To maintain competitiveness in the labor market, we recommend critically evaluating your skills and knowledge from time to time. The most relevant skills in today’s labor market that will help you stand out among other candidates are:

  • Digital skills. Pay attention to developing your digital and technological skills. Regardless of whether you work in finance, education, or a completely different field, the ability to use the latest technologies, including artificial intelligence tools, will be decisive.
  • Critical thinking. The ability to analyze information – understand cause and effect relationships.
  • Communication. The ability to build lasting and respectful relationships is needed almost everywhere, both in the work environment and in personal life.
  • Ability to learn. Nowadays, lifelong learning is discussed more and more. Employers especially value employees who are willing to self-educate and acquire new knowledge and skills.
  • Creativity and innovation. In the age of automation, creativity becomes one of humanity’s greatest advantages. The ability to create new solutions, think “outside the box,” and apply ideas in practice is highly valued in any industry.

Final notes

The labor market has changed significantly in recent years, yet one truth remains constant – employees who aren’t afraid of change and are ready to learn new skills will always be in demand. That’s why invest time and resources in learning and improving, because it’s the surest path to a successful career.

If your company is experiencing difficulties attracting suitable employees or wants to strengthen the team with reliable specialists, Human Source can help. We provide services to companies that want to find employees who truly fit the team and contribute to achieving business goals. Contact us to learn how our experience in recruitment can help you too.